Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernandez announced that forward Ben Simmons will not be playing in consecutive games in back-to-back sets for the foreseeable future. The 28-year-old forward was ruled out for Tuesday’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets due to lingering back issues but is slated to return to the court on Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies, as reported by C.J. Holmes of the New York Daily News.
Simmons, who joined the Nets in 2022, has been averaging 5.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists across three games this season while playing 24 minutes per game. However, his journey in Brooklyn has been marred by back injuries, which have required two surgeries and forced him to miss significant playing time.
The three-time All-Star addressed the criticism about his availability, telling reporters earlier in October that it’s “disrespectful” when critics imply he’s taken money from the Nets due to his injuries. Simmons, who has played only 60 games with Brooklyn, remains hopeful of making a full recovery and contributing at a high level but will proceed cautiously as the season unfolds.
With Simmons managing his health carefully, the Nets will have to adjust to his limited availability, especially in back-to-back game scenarios. This strategy aims to help him stay on the court longer term as Brooklyn seeks to keep him a vital part of their rotation.
